Learning to Fall: The Beginning of My Judo Journey

menglim.life@gmail.com (Meng Lim) — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 10:43:15 +0000

I still remember my first day on the tatami. I walked into the dojo, not knowing what to expect. The room was full of young children—toddlers, really—laughing and gleefully throwing each other around. Watching them tumble and roll with such carefree joy was both hilarious and oddly mesmerizing.

Among the other first-timers, I met our sensei for the first time. He kindly lent us Judo Gis and patiently taught us how to wear them properly: left side over right. In Japanese tradition, crossing the right side over the left is reserved specifically for the deceased. He then showed us how to tie our belts, and without much further instruction, we followed along with running—forwards, backwards, and sideways—rolling our wrists and neck, and stretching our chests.

Being no stranger to the gym, I initially thought the warm-up felt manageable—until we reached the next stage. Forward rolls, backward rolls, handstand rolls, backward handstand rolls, cartwheels, and a host of other movements that, while not entirely foreign, I had never attempted. Even a year later, the 15-minute warm-up still humbles me. No matter how many times I repeat it, the spinning, rolling, and tumbling always leaves me a dizzy.

The first real lesson was ukemi, or break-falling—the art of falling safely. For the next 45 minutes, we practiced all types of ukemi, slapping the mat repeatedly, unsure at first how it would actually reduce the impact. By the end, though, I could feel my body slowly learning to absorb the falls.

Eventually, we progressed to our first throw: O-Goshi (Major Hip Throw). The sensei demonstrated it, and as the Uke (the partner receiving the throw) hit the mat with a satisfying thud, awe spread across everyone’s faces. Quiet murmurs of “ooooh” and “wow” rippled through the group. The throw looked smooth, effortless—and yet utterly devastating.

Breaking down the technique revealed its true complexity. There are four main principles in any Judo throw, simplified here:

Kumi-kata (Establishing Grips): Securing a dominant grip on the opponent’s gi to control posture and movement.
Kuzushi (Breaking Balance): Using the grips and body movement to off-balance the opponent, making them vulnerable.
Tsukuri (Entry/Positioning): Positioning the body correctly for the throw while the opponent remains off-balance.
Kake (Execution): Completing the throw using leverage and momentum to bring the opponent to the mat.

If you are keen to see the breakdown for Ogoshi - watch this Youtube tutorial Watch O-goshi tutorial or watch it from the official Kodokan archives Watch Kodokan Ogoshi

If you like to see it competition environment aka in the Olympics - Watch here

At the end of class, one of the senior judoka threw us onto a thick padded mattress to practice break-falls before experiencing a full throw on the mat. Nervous anticipation mixed with exhilaration—it was the first real taste of Judo’s blend of discipline, respect, and controlled chaos.

Looking back, that first day taught me more than technique. It taught me humility, patience, and the importance of showing up—even when the mats feel intimidating, the drills exhausting, or the throws impossible. Judo, I realized, isn’t just about throwing—it’s about learning to fall, getting back up, and embracing every moment in between.

Takeaway: Embrace the falls, focus on learning, and celebrate every small step forward.

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Learning to Fall: The Beginning of My Judo Journey - Meng Lim's Judo

Learning to Fall: The Beginning of My Judo Journey